Here are a few things that meowing could mean and whether you should be concerned.
Cats are known for their meowing, and no other animal makes a sound quite like it. If you’ve known your cat for a while, then you can probably tell a lot about how their feeling by their meows. But what if it seems like your cat is meowing all the time? Here are a few things this could mean and whether you should be concerned.
Why do Cats Meow?
First of all, one thing about cats meowing is that it is not their primary form of communication. Meowing is the way kittens, who are all born blind and deaf, get the attention of their mothers. You might be surprised to know that adult cats only meow to communicate with humans. Cats in the wild usually grow out of meowing, but your domestic cat will often meow to you because they see you as their parent.
Getting Your Attention
It’s likely that your cat meows to you when they are hungry. That’s the trademark way of nearly all house cats to remind their owners that it’s mealtime. But your cat could be asking for other things if they come up to you and meow. They might meow and bat at you to ask you to play with them. Or they might want to be pet or cuddled. Cats are smart and they catch on that meowing is the best way to get you to do what they want. So if your cat is meowing a lot for no reason, they might just be whining for you, and if you give in then it will only encourage their behavior.
Stress or Sickness
Be aware, you should not take your cat’s excessive meowing for granted until you make sure that they don’t have another problem. Cats also might meow if they are sick. You can tell that something is wrong if they have other symptoms, such as not eating or not using the litter box, or if their meow sounds more like a groan or yowl. Stress and fear also cause some cats to meow more than usual. Elderly cats especially might meow if they are uneasy because their declining eyesight and hearing could make them feel helpless otherwise. And older cats are more likely to be affected by illnesses like high blood pressure and thyroid disease. If there have been any significant changes in your home or routine, then it might have upset your cat. Remember, sometimes your cat meows just for attention, but you should always check with your vet just in case.
CONTACT THE CATONSVILLE CAT CLINIC TODAY!
For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!
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